The rapid development of artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data is transforming modern societies at an unprecedented pace. Digital transformation is reshaping not only economies and labour markets, but also legal systems, democracy, social relationships, education, culture, and even spirituality. To better understand these complex and interconnected processes, the Digital Technologies for Society, Economy, Laws and Ethics (DigiTech4SELE) research team, led by Prof. Michał Polasik, has been established.
The team’s mission is to comprehensively investigate the impact of digital technologies on individuals and social institutions. Unlike many previous studies that have focused on isolated aspects of digitalisation, DigiTech4SELE adopts a holistic, interdisciplinary perspective.
The project is grounded in neo-institutional theory, which provides a common analytical framework for examining the interactions between technology, individuals, and institutions. It assumes that digital technologies shape people’s attitudes and behaviours, which in turn influence organisations and institutions, while legal and ethical frameworks simultaneously guide and moderate technological development. — Prof. Polasik
The research covers the most significant contemporary digital technologies, such as AI (incl. LLM, XAI, AI Agents, Edge AI), chatbots, blockchain, and smart contracts, biometrics, mobile technologies, IoT, and Big Data. Researchers will examine both the opportunities these technologies create, and the economic, social, legal, and ethical challenges they may generate.
The project addresses eight major research objectives. These include assessing the economic and social effects of digital technologies, analysing how legal regulations and ethical standards influence technological innovation, examining the role of trust in the adoption of blockchain-based solutions and digital currencies and evaluating the capacity of democratic institutions to adapt to the digital age.
Particular attention will be devoted to understanding how digital transformation affects people with disabilities and groups at risk of social, digital and financial exclusion. The research will also investigate the influence of artificial intelligence on quality of life, communication, empathy and spirituality, providing new insights into the human dimension of technological change. — Prof. Polasik
One of DigiTech4SELE’s greatest strengths is its international scope. Empirical research will be conducted in five European countries – Poland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, and Finland – in collaboration with leading academic partners. This international perspective will enable comparisons across different legal systems, cultural contexts and socio-economic environments, providing a deeper understanding of how digital transformation unfolds across Europe.
The project will result in the development and empirical validation of an innovative research model explaining how digital technologies influence both individuals and institutions. Based on unique international data, the research will generate evidence-based policy recommendations for market regulators, legislators, public authorities, the financial sector, businesses, non-governmental organisations and religious communities.
These recommendations are intended to support responsible digital transformation and contribute to the development of public policies informed by rigorous scientific evidence. — Prof. Polasik
DigiTech4SELE addresses one of the defining challenges of our time: understanding how digital technologies are reshaping society and identifying ways to ensure that technological progress serves people, strengthens democratic institutions and promotes sustainable economic and social development.
